Ausar Thompson is almost ready to make his return to the court.
The Detroit Pistons announced that Thompson had been cleared to play again by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel after dealing with a blood clot for months. Although it is unclear when Thompson will make his season debut, he will now begin to step up his basketball performance and participate in practices as normal with the Pistons.
“We’re glad he’s going to be able to come back and play because that process can’t be easy,” coach JB Bickerstaff said. . “What he’s been through, the time he’s had to put in, the ups and downs emotionally, things like that; we’re glad for him that it’s over. He’s getting a chance to come back and be a part of the group like he always wanted.”
Thompson first began dealing with his blood clotting issue in March, and it ended his rookie season after just 63 games. He has since recovered.
The Pistons first selected Thompson with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He went one spot behind his twin brother, Amen Thompson, in that draft as well. Amen was selected by the Houston Rockets.
Thompson averaged 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season. He was one of three rookies to have at least 50 steals and 50 blocks last season as well, along with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren. That feat was only accomplished by three other rookies in Pistons history as well.
“It’s going to take a while; we’re going to have to step him up,” Bickerstaff said. “There wasn’t an opportunity, because of the process, for him to play five-on-five and do things like that. Anyone that was out while he was out, it’s just going to take us a little bit of time, but we’re always going to protect him first and do as much as we can , so that he is above all comfortable.”
The Pistons currently hold a 4-7 record this season heading into Tuesday’s contest against the Miami Heat. Bickerstaff was hired this past offseason to replace Monty Williams – who was with the organization for just a single season and went 14-68. The Pistons made the playoffs just twice in the past decade, and they managed just one winning season during that span.
